A handy Winter Cup race at Addington on Friday night has taken on extra significance as the countdown to the Harness Jewels deadline nears on Sunday.
The Oamaru meeting on Sunday is the last chance for age-grade pacers and trotters to be one of the top 12 money earners in their respective categories, and that time limit means several 4yr-old male pacing contenders are on a collision course at Addington on Friday.
The carry-over champion from last year's 3yr-old category, Border Control, still has an uphill task to make it into this year's 4yr-old emerald field.
If he was to make the Jewels field and strike a good draw over the Cambridge mile, he would be a big hope with his lethal finish.
But for now, he sits in 19th place, and needs to win the $17,500 Winter Cup at Addington on Saturday to squeeze his way into the field.
Despite him being a 50-50 proposition at absolute best to make the field, the TAB harness bookmakers are keeping the New Zealand mile record-holder safe in their futures market at $12.
Belkmyster (14th), Mighty Flying Mac (17th) and Classiesistar (20th) are in the same boat, so the final 200m of Saturday's race will have a little extra edge to it.
Australian pacer Guaranteed, who is all but confirmed to start, is at $2.75, while Messenger winner Elios is at $3 just ahead of stablemate Franco Nelson at $3.30.
More withdrawals this week allowed a few more sophomore male pacers to slip into the top 12 of the 3yr-old male pacing category, with a decision from Australian invitee Bling It On still to come.
Darcee and Destination Moon joined a host of other pacers to be withdrawn from the 3yr-old division. Locharburn, Maxim, Aldo Rossi, Quick As A Trick and Raesawinner are just some of the other notable withdrawals.
Little movement is possible in the final 12 for the 3yr-olds, with wins required from three outsiders to push their claims for a final spot.
The juvenile category is almost finalised as well, although emergency Iceobar can confirm a start if he wins at Addington.
If Iceobar is able to secure a place in the field, he would be the fifth representative from the All Stars stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen to make the field.
Follow The Star is a prohibitive $1.35 favourite in the futures market. Fellow All Stars runners Alta Orlando and Hug The Wind are the only other runners in single figures.
Harness Jewels countdown
• 2yr-old male pacers: Follow The Stars, Alta Orlando, Express Stride, Bettor Spirits, Say My Name, Chachingchaching, Beaudiene Boaz, Hug The Wind, Art Union, Strike The Gold, Mighty Flying Major, Oneover, Iceobar (emergency)
• Australian invite: Padrisimo (likely starter)
• 3yr-old male pacers: Tiger Tara, Isaiah, Sky Major, Alleluia, Regulus, No Doctor Needed, Cyclone Prince, Messini, Jango Fett, Doubleodeano, Bettors Card, A Boy Named Rosie, Bettor Buy It (emergency)
• Australian invite: Bling It On (possible starter)
• Chasing a spot this week: Naughty Maravu (17th - must win at Addington), Acolyte (23rd - must win at Ascot Park), Milligan (26th - must win at Ascot Park)
• 4yr-old male pacers: Elios, Franco Nelson, Give The Wink, Major Star, Norvic Nightowl, Mach's Gladiator, Arising Easton, Pacquiao, Mossdale Conner, Bettor Rock On, Randalstown, Lewy Risk, Dynamic Party (emergency)
• Australian invite: Guaranteed (likely starter)
• Chasing a spot this week: Belkmyster (14th), Mighty Flying Mac (17th) Border Control (19th), Classiesistar (20th) - one of these must win the Winter Cup at Addington to make the field.
